The March 2024 competition theme was: Open. The judge was Michael Brown
Advanced Projected
First Prize
Maude Svensson ~ Sunset at the Cotton Storage
This picture is a multiple exposure made from two different photos. One photo is of an old cotton storage at an abandoned ginnery in Mississippi. I tried hard to get it in perfect symmetry. The other photo is from a sunset at the Assateague Bayside beach. Although I like the sunset, my main aim with the photo was to show the reflections of the sun in those waves that touch the sand and produce golden bubbles. I used Photoshop, different blending modes and opacity to mix the two photos together.
Second Prize
Kent Mason ~ Old Ways
Third Prize
Beth Koller ~ Iguana on the March
This image was taken in January in Florida. These are the herbivores. The other types in the area are omnivores. This one is a male. You can tell by the size–2 to 3 time larger than the females and by the coloring–the normally blue green color becomes more orange in the head region during the mating season whereas the females are shamrock or forest green. The male displays include forward and backward rocking of the head and shaking of the wattle-like structure, a dewlap. They will sit still for long periods, but can move quickly when they want–if it is not cold. They can scamper up trees and swim between islands. D500 with a telephoto.
Honorable Mention
Frank Gallagher ~Memento Mori
“Memento Mori” (roughly translated as “remember you have to die”) is an artistic concept that goes way back in time. Seeing this small, long-dead branch on multihued sandstone laid down millions of years ago reminded me of the brief instant my life occupies in the vast sweep of time. Plus, it looked kind of cool! 60mm, f/9, 1/80 sec, ISO 400
Honorable Mention
Kate Woodward ~ Puerto Rico Geometry
I took this image because I loved the pure geometry and colors of this Puerto Rican home, set against the cloudless blue sky. I think the glimpse of the palm tree gives the image a bit of geographic context.
Honorable Mention
Wendy Kates ~ Layers, Lines, and Curves
This is an image of a portion of the staircase at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, which is the main branch of the DC Public Library. The staircase is beautifully designed, and affords many photo opportunities of its unique curves and colorful, wood-lined vertical strips.
Novice Projected
First Prize
Tom McLaughlin ~ Peruvian Wool
The image was taken at a Textile Center in Chinchero, Peru, not far from Cusco. Several women were spinning and dyeing alpaca wool and weaving blankets and sweaters. I was struck by the colors and texture of the wool. The sides were cropped to remove distractions, no other processing. I kind of wish I hadn’t cut off the pot at the top, but I suspect there was something up there to avoid. Either that or I wasn’t paying attention. Nikon D7000, 18-140 mm DX lens, f/3.8, 1/30 sec, ISO 1000.
Second Prize
Jim Riley ~ Vintage Car Interior
I took this picture at the Rockville Car Show a year or two ago; this event is held at the “Mansion” off route 28 north of Viers Mill Rd.
Many people are always in the way of a clean shot. This car has a prism-like technology on the dashboard which captured and enhanced light from a traffic signal. I don’t know the car make or model.
Third Prize
Tom McLaughlin ~ Quechua Shaman
The image was taken in this gentleman’s back yard in Chinchero, Peru. He performed a ritual intended to ensure our safe journey. We did get home alive, so I can’t say it didn’t work. I liked the contrast of the bright colors with the clay bank at the back of the yard, and he’s just an interesting looking guy. Cropped to focus attention on his face, no other processing. Nikon D7000, 18-140 mm DX lens, f/6.3, 1/500 sec, ISO 100.
Honorable Mention
Michele Dastin van Rijn ~ Untangling Family
Untangling Family was shot in Thailand in the Chumphon area before we were going to take the ferry to Koh Tao. Unfortunately, the fisher families drag these nets at the sea bottom and have a lot of bycatch. They have to remove the heavy shells, etc. by hand before heading out again. They say it can take 2 weeks.
Honorable Mention
Michele Dastin van Rijn ~ Motherly Love
Motherly Love was from our South Africa trip. We saw a lot of elephants, but we especially saw them at Addo Elephant Park. This mom and juvenile were just finished bathing with the family.
Advanced Print
First Prize
Lisa Auerbach ~ MLK Library
I shot this image from a staircase at the MLK DC Library. The windows in the stairwell gave me windows in a building across the street. With layers I processed each major part independently. I had recently watched the MPA Artist Spotlight Webinar with Jennifer King. She gave excellent ideas and suggestions for processing Black and White, some of which I used in my layers. I used a Canon R7 with an RF 18-180 lens, hand held. Settings: 18mm; 1/320; f/3.5; ISO 800
Second Prize
David Blass ~ Figs
I’m drawn to the beauty of nature, like many photographers. Fresh figs are appealing to me because of the subtle variations in color, and the marked difference in appearance of the inside compared with the outside. I thought a simple approach, with no other still life elements, was the best way to present these figs. (As pretty as they are, they were among the worst pieces of fruit I’ve ever had!)
Third Prize
Sherm Edwards ~ Georgetown Glow 1
This sculpture was part of The 2023 Georgetown Glow exhibition. It was located off of K Street near the harbour. I shot it with a 5-second exposure at f/22 to capture motion and get the background in focus. Shot with a Canon R7, RF-S 18-150mm lens at 32mm, approximately 50mm equivalent.
Honorable Mention
Beth Koller ~Mr. Cool
This image was taken in West Virginia. The paddler had a very relaxed position in the boat He was color-coordinated in yellow and blue and those blue shades topped it off. D800 with a short telephoto–handheld with an ISO of 1600.
Novice Print
First Prize
Will Rabinovich ~ Waimea Canyon
This photo was taken on a trip Kauai. It is Waimea Canyon, sometimes called the Grand Canyon of the west. Kauai is a very rainy island, and this canyon is carved by that rain. The image was taken from a vantage point along the highway, but earlier in the day, my wife and I hiked to the top of the waterfall you see in the picture. From this vantage point you can’t tell, but it is actually a double waterfall. The conditions in Kauai change from one moment to the next, so I waited for the lighting conditions to illuminate the waterfall.
Second Prize
Marc Auerbach ~ Assateague Morning Surf
This was taken in Assateague on a cold morning. Sometimes you have to bundle up and brave the elements to get the shot.